Musically, "Changing of the Guards," like much of Street Legal, has a strange sound, certainly unique for Dylan if not unique in general. This is in part effected by a trio of female back-up singers, a prominent saxophone in between verses, and a hauntingly dynamic chord progression. The chord progression has a certain catch that is very noticeable: there is a repeating cadence, which, by landing on the dominant chord, "begs" for resolution. However, rather than resolving it with the tonic chord, it is resolved with the relative minor chord. This creates an almost tragic feel in the song: everything sounds as if there will be a normal, major and happy-sounding tonic chord; but instead, the song falls into the unusual and dark-sounding relative minor chord. Interestingly, the song speeds up slightly over the course of the song, only noticeable by playing the beginning and the end of the song back to back.
Lyrically, this song has provoked much critical insight, both positive and negative. According to Oliver Trager, "Changing of the Guards" has been criticized as a "song in which Dylan unsuccessfully and cynically parodies his anthemic self in haunting fashion..."
But many have found much depth and meaning in the song's lyrics. Michael Gray sees this song as a thorough description of Dylan's journey, from the beginning of his musical career, about sixteen years prior (the opening line is "Sixteen years"), through his marriage and divorce with Sara Dylan, up to his soon-to-be-announced conversion to Christianity. Indeed, much religious and biblical imagery is readily apparent in this work, especially apocalyptic imagery (not new ground for Dylan). Dylan once commented: "It means something different every time I sing it. 'Changing of the Guards' is a thousand years old'".
However, even the song's critical supporters admit that there is a good amount of opacity in this song's lyrics: "Like much in 'Changing of the Guards,' the intended meaning of this passage is opaque..."
"Changing of the Guards" has only been played live during the tour immediately following its release in 1978.
The main saxophone refrain at the end of the chorus' sounds very similar to the theme to the BBC's popular Animal Hospital show of the 1990s.
Changing of the Guards
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sixteen banners united over the field
Where the good shepherd grieves
Desperate men, desperate women divided
Spreading their wings 'neath the falling leaves
Fortune calls
I stepped forth from the shadows to the marketplace
She's smelling sweet like the meadows where she was born
On midsummer's eve, near the tower
The cold-blooded moon
The captain waits above the celebration
Sending his thoughts to a beloved maid
Whose ebony face is beyond communication
The captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid
They shaved her head
She was torn between Jupiter and Apollo
A messenger arrived with a black nightingale
I seen her on the stairs and I couldn't help but follow
Follow her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil
I stumbled to my feet
I rode past destruction in the ditches
With the stitches still mending 'neath a heart-shaped tattoo
Renegade priests and treacherous young witches
Were handing out the flowers that I'd given to you
The palace of mirrors
Where dog soldiers are reflected
The endless road and the wailing of chimes
The empty rooms where her memory is protected
Where the angels' voices whisper to the souls of previous times
She wakes him up
Forty-eight hours later, the sun is breaking
Near broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rocks
She's begging to know what measures he now will be taking
He's pulling her down and she's clutching on to his long golden locks
Gentlemen, he said
I don't need your organization, I've shined your shoes
I've moved your mountains and marked your cards
But Eden is burning, either getting ready for elimination
Or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards
Peace will come
With tranquility and splendor on the wheels of fire
But will bring us no reward when her false idols fall
And cruel death surrenders with its pale ghost retreating
Between the King and the Queen of Swords
Bob Dylan’s “Changing of the Guards” is a complex and metaphorical song that seems almost like a story with multiple plots woven together. The song, which was released in 1978, features sixteen banners united over the field and separated men and women who are trying to find their place in this world. Dylan sings about fortune and merchants, hungry for power, who make deals while the good shepherd grieves. In the song, the main character steps forth from the shadows to make a deal, his last one gone down, and smells a woman who reminds him of home on midsummer's eve, near the tower. Later, a captain waits on top of a celebration, sending his thoughts to his beloved maid whose ebony face is beyond communication, and believes that his love will be repaid.
However, these love stories turn sour when the woman's head gets shaved, and she is torn between Jupiter and Apollo. She was lifted by a messenger, and as she descended through the stairs, the main character followed her until they stumbled upon the place of destruction. They passed by the endless road and wailing of chimes, the empty rooms where memory is protected and where the angels' voices whisper. Finally, forty-eight hours later, when the sun is breaking near broken chains, mountain laurel, and rolling rocks, the woman begs to know what measures will be taken. The main character responds by saying he does not need any organization and that it is time for the changing of the guards. The song concludes by saying that peace will come with tranquility and splendor on the wheels of fire, but it will bring no reward when false idols fall, and death surrenders with its pale ghost retreating between the King and the Queen of Swords.
Overall, the song is a cryptic and poetic examination of lost love and the struggle to find one’s place in the world. It also explores themes of power, fortune, and the transience of human relationships. Dylan’s lyricism, as always, is masterful, and the song is a true testament to his poetic vision and ability to craft complex narratives.
Line by Line Meaning
Sixteen years
It has been 16 years since something significant happened in this place.
Sixteen banners united over the field
16 different groups of people have come together in this place.
Where the good shepherd grieves
This place of unity is also a place of sadness and mourning.
Desperate men, desperate women divided
Despite their shared unity, the people of this place are still divided and struggling.
Spreading their wings 'neath the falling leaves
Like the leaves falling from the trees, the people of this place are trying to grow and change.
Fortune calls
Something significant is happening, and people are taking notice.
I stepped forth from the shadows to the marketplace
The singer is emerging from the background into the forefront of events.
Merchants and thieves, hungry for power, my last deal gone down
In this marketplace, there are those who seek to gain power from others through deceit and theft.
She's smelling sweet like the meadows where she was born
The artist is describing a woman who is pure and innocent, much like the natural world around her.
On midsummer's eve, near the tower
The woman described was born during a magical moment in time, near a tower of great importance.
The cold-blooded moon
The singer is using a metaphor to describe a moment of great tension and danger.
The captain waits above the celebration
Amidst the chaos and danger, someone of great importance is waiting and watching what unfolds.
Sending his thoughts to a beloved maid
This person is thinking of someone they love deeply.
Whose ebony face is beyond communication
The person they love is not like them and comes from a very different place or background.
The captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid
Despite the risks and potential danger, this person is still holding out hope that their love will be returned.
They shaved her head
The woman mentioned earlier has been subjected to humiliation and abuse.
She was torn between Jupiter and Apollo
The woman was caught between two powerful forces, each of which wanted her allegiance.
A messenger arrived with a black nightingale
Someone arrives with a dark message or warning.
I seen her on the stairs and I couldn't help but follow
The singer has seen the woman and is compelled to follow her.
Follow her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil
The woman is being led to a place where she will be exposed and vulnerable.
I stumbled to my feet
Something traumatic has occurred, and the artist is trying to stand up and recover.
I rode past destruction in the ditches
The artist is witnessing destruction and damage in the world around them.
With the stitches still mending 'neath a heart-shaped tattoo
Despite the pain and damage, the singer still has hope and faith represented by a heart-shaped tattoo.
Renegade priests and treacherous young witches
The artist is surrounded by people who challenge authority and traditional beliefs.
Were handing out the flowers that I'd given to you
The singer is reminded of someone they love who they have given flowers to in the past.
The palace of mirrors
The singer finds themselves in a place that reflects and distorts reality.
Where dog soldiers are reflected
In this place, there are people who are loyal to higher powers at the expense of their own well-being.
The endless road and the wailing of chimes
The artist is on a journey that seems to have no end and is accompanied by sorrow.
The empty rooms where her memory is protected
The artist remembers someone who is no longer present, and their memory is cherished and kept alive in a quiet space.
Where the angels' voices whisper to the souls of previous times
The singer imagines a place where angels are present, and their voices bring comfort to those who have passed.
She wakes him up
Someone has been asleep or apathetic, and another person is trying to awaken them.
Forty-eight hours later, the sun is breaking
After a significant event or period of time, there is a moment of new beginnings and hope.
Near broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rocks
This moment of new beginnings is marked by symbols of beauty and strength.
She's begging to know what measures he now will be taking
Someone is asking if things are going to change, and what they can expect in the future.
He's pulling her down and she's clutching on to his long golden locks
The singer seems to be taking control of the situation, and the woman is holding on to him for stability and reassurance.
Gentlemen, he said
Someone of authority or power is addressing a group of people.
I don't need your organization, I've shined your shoes
This person has no use for the established order, and has proven themselves successful on their own terms.
I've moved your mountains and marked your cards
This person has achieved great things and has a lot of power and influence.
But Eden is burning, either getting ready for elimination
Despite this power, something significant is still going wrong and the singer acknowledges that there are big problems on the horizon.
Or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards
The only solution is to be brave and accept change, even if it is difficult or painful.
Peace will come
Despite the challenges the artist has described, there is still hope for a brighter future.
With tranquility and splendor on the wheels of fire
This future will be marked by beauty, excitement, and passion.
But will bring us no reward when her false idols fall
Despite the beauty and passion, many people will lose out when false beliefs and values are exposed and discarded.
And cruel death surrenders with its pale ghost retreating
Even the power of death will be weakened and will retreat in the face of these changes.
Between the King and the Queen of Swords
The final line seems to suggest that there will be a balance of power between opposing forces, as represented by the King and Queen of Swords.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Genjo_N_Mojave
Lyrics:
Sixteen years
Sixteen banners united over the field
Where the good shepherd grieves
Desperate men, desperate women divided
Spreading their wings 'neath the falling leaves
Fortune calls
I stepped forth from the shadows to the marketplace
Merchants and thieves, hungry for power, my last deal gone down
She's smelling sweet like the meadows where she was born
On midsummer's eve, near the tower
The cold-blooded moon
The captain waits above the celebration
Sending his thoughts to a beloved maid
Whose ebony face is beyond communication
The captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid
They shaved her head
She was torn between Jupiter and Apollo
A messenger arrived with a black nightingale
I seen her on the stairs and I couldn't help but follow
Follow her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil
I stumbled to my feet
I rode past destruction in the ditches
With the stitches still mending 'neath a heart-shaped tattoo
Renegade priests and treacherous young witches
Were handing out the flowers that I'd given to you
The palace of mirrors
Where dog soldiers are reflected
The endless road and the wailing of chimes
The empty rooms where her memory is protected
Where the angels' voices whisper to the souls of previous times
She wakes him up
Forty-eight hours later, the sun is breaking
Near broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rocks
She's begging to know what measures he now will be taking
He's pulling her down and she's clutching on to his long golden locks
Gentlemen, he said
I don't need your organization, I've shined your shoes
I've moved your mountains and marked your cards
But Eden is burning, either getting ready for elimination
Or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards
Peace will come
With tranquility and splendor on the wheels of fire
But will offer no reward when her false idols fall
And cruel death surrenders with its pale ghost retreating
Between the King and the Queen of Swords
(If you've read this far, to the end, then you realize what a Masterpiece of poetry Dylan has painted. What all it means is up to you, allegory or otherwise.)
Francelee Paris
@Anosh A well, here’s my take:
The song is about a change in the world order, of the Cold War, Vietnam , the black civil rights movement,
End of colonialism… it was the best of times and the worst of times,
The first verse is about the number of different nations that fought over Vietnam.
The falling leaves refer to Agent Orange that desperate Americans sprayed across the jungles to de-leaf the hiding places of the Vietcong
Verse 2 & 5 is about all the guys going about their normal life not really caring about the changing world
Verse 3 is about some leader who is in love with his black maid, but he doesn’t join the celebrations because he know he will lose her with the civil rights movement
Verse 4 is obscure but I think it about the French collaborators during the war who had their head shaved. The woman probably stopped believing God, but in the end went ahead with a traditional church wedding
Verse 6 is about the French Revolution when the king was overthrown and the people took over (Palace of mirror= Versailles). The first real change in world order.
Verse 7 is about the the hippies who are just living in a stupor during the tumultuous change..
Verse 8 is about the civil rights movement where the blacks have become emancipated and no longer have to do menial jobs
The last verse is the coming of the messiah and Ezekiel vision of the angel of God coming in a wheel of fire to bring everlasting peace since everybody in the sixties believed that the end of the world was near
maclove 52
Sixteen years
Sixteen banners united over the field
Where the good shepherd grieves
Desperate men, desperate women divided
Spreading their wings 'neath the falling leaves
Fortune calls
I stepped forth from the shadows to the marketplace
Merchants and thieves, hungry for power, my last deal gone down
She's smelling sweet like the meadows where she was born
On midsummer's eve, near the tower
The cold-blooded moon
The captain waits above the celebration
Sending his thoughts to a beloved maid
Whose ebony face is beyond communication
The captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid
They shaved her head
She was torn between Jupiter and Apollo
A messenger arrived with a black nightingale
I seen her on the stairs and I couldn't help but follow
Follow her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil
I stumbled to my feet
I rode past destruction in the ditches
With the stitches still mending 'neath a heart-shaped tattoo
Renegade priests and treacherous young witches
Were handing out the flowers that I'd given to you
The palace of mirrors
Where dog soldiers are reflected
The endless road and the wailing of chimes
The empty rooms where her memory is protected
Where the angels' voices whisper to the souls of previous times
She wakes him up
Forty-eight hours later, the sun is breaking
Near broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rocks
She's begging to know what measures he now will be taking
He's pulling her down and she's clutching on to his long golden locks
Gentlemen, he said
I don't need your organization, I've shined your shoes
I've moved your mountains and marked your cards
But Eden is burning, either getting ready for elimination
Or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards
Peace will come
With tranquility and splendor on the wheels of fire
But will bring us no reward when her false idols fall
And cruel death surrenders with its pale ghost retreating
Between the King and the Queen of Swords
Miles Jordan
This song alone is worth a Nobel Prize. I play it whenever I need relief from the madness. So soothing, so inspiring, simply brilliant.
Paul Edwards
A smoke and a couple of nips of vodka works well ... but I know what you mean. The chanting voice and the reply.
tim earp
@Paul Edwards
I've just reconnected with this song after many years of not being able to play my old vinyl collection. I totally agree its genius, pure genius. The lyrics are pure poetry.
Sadder Than You
@tim earp Patti Smith did a surprisingly good cover of this.
Robert Shapiro
This superb song is a highlight of my final years in Graduate School. When Dylan performed this song soon after the album's release, its performance hadn't yet been altered being temporally close to its conception. I was working at an upscale dept. store supporting my academics and was looking forward to taking a date, Chris McK..... and as the concert approached she kept insisting that following the concert she was not going to spend the night at my apartment, and kept insisting that very mantra. The concert must have worked magic on her, however--she did indeed spend the night with me. I just had to get over a comment she made weeks earlier that troubled me but I tried to ascribe it to her most unusual sense of humor: "You know, you look like David Berkowitz." It was a fun night and she did indeed survive.
Jeffrey Dowell
My favorite
jewfro DZ ak
It is really difficult for me to not say that this is Bob’s finest piece of music. Any other musician/artist/wordsmith, this song would be their defining creation in life and their finest moment as a sentient being. Their personal “Stairway to Heaven” that stands head and shoulders above any other thing that they forged during their time on Earth…Then I remember “It’s Alright Ma” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” and “Idiot Wind” and “Buckets of Rain” and “Lay Lady Lay” and “Visions of Johanna” and “When the Ships Come In” and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and holy shit I haven’t even said “Like a Rolling Stone” or “All Along the Watchtower” or “Subterranean Homesick Blues” yet. Or ____ nor _______, etc, etc, ad infinitum…..Thanks for the embarrassment of riches and for setting the bar, Bob.
Philinleshed
Album wise Blood on the Tracks would be my choice but this is one of my favorite Dylan songs hands down
Joel Ewing
+Jewfro DZ Ak: Pretty fine post there, Jewfro. You be givin' everybody a little peek of the wordsmith you just may be, eh bro? Takes one to know one. Well done, brother. God Bless us all....from jbeinarizona
kay feezell
Ii heard that brother.!!